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In the News: Landmark Agreement Reached for Modoc Multi-Use Path: Continuous Protected Bike and Pedestrian Path from UC Santa Barbara to City of Santa Barbara, Plus Protections for More Mesa

After several years of negotiations, the Land Trust has reached an agreement with the County of Santa Barbara and our landowner partners at La Cumbre Mutual Water Company on an environmentally sensitive, lower-impact design for the Modoc Multi-Use Path. As a part of our agreement on the Modoc path, we have commitment from the County…

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In the News: Land Trust for Santa Barbara County, The Nature Conservancy, and Vandenberg Space Force Base Partner to Ensure Enduring Conservation of Southern California’s Last Wild Coast

The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County and The Nature Conservancy have partnered with Vandenberg Space Force Base to execute a $15 million conservation easement over the Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve. Check out the headlines! GET THE STORIES:

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Press Release: Land Trust for Santa Barbara County, The Nature Conservancy, and Vandenberg Space Force Base Partner to Ensure Enduring Conservation of Southern California’s Last Wild Coast

SANTA BARBARA, CA—Today, the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County and The Nature Conservancy (TNC), in partnership with Vandenberg Space Force Base, announced the execution of a $15 million conservation easement that maximizes conservation protections and secures funds critical to long term land management of the Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve. Located along the Gaviota Coast, the largest stretch of…

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In the News: Senator Limón Presented $500,000 in State Funds for the Gaviota Overlook

Senator Monique Limón and Assemblymember Gregg Hart presented $500,000 of state funding to the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County to support the acquisition and preservation of the Gaviota Overlook at the Arroyo Hondo Preserve! GET THE STORIES:

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Press Release: Senator Limón Presented $500,000 in State Funds for the Gaviota Overlook 

Western view of the Gaviota Coast with Arroyo Hondo Preserve in the bottom right

SANTA BARBARA, CA—Today, Senator Monique Limón, along with Assemblymember Gregg Hart, presented $500,000 in state funding to the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County to support the acquisition and preservation of the Gaviota Overlook at the Arroyo Hondo Preserve. Senator Limón secured this funding with support from Assemblymember Hart in the 2023 State Budget to…

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Press Release: Gaviota Overlook Permanently Conserved and Protected from Development

Western view of the Gaviota Coast with Arroyo Hondo Preserve in the bottom right

GAVIOTA COAST, CA—The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County is thrilled to announce the successful completion of the $3 million fundraising campaign to purchase Gaviota Overlook. Protecting Gaviota Overlook accomplishes the first new piece of land conservation on the Gaviota Coast since the early 2000s, when the Land Trust, with a vision of preserving this…

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Arroyo Hondo Preserve Reopened!

After several months of recovery, repair, and regrowth, the Land Trust is pleased to reopen the Arroyo Hondo Preserve to the public on the first and third full weekends of the month. Learn more about our reopening in this recent Santa Maria Times article.  All open dates are subject to change in accordance with government…

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Choose Your Own Adventure in Santa Barbara County

From the hills and valleys of North County to the salty Gaviota Coast and the orchards and beaches of Carpinteria, Santa Barbara County land nourishes both wild and human communities. With plenty of places to explore, our map has a few itineraries to inspire your next road trip! *Map illustration and design by Leslie Lewis…

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In the News: Farming for the Future at Jalama Canyon Ranch

“We can bring this money to the table and protect their agriculture forever, but it’s also addressing climate resilience issues and economic vitality. It’s like a triple bottom-line win,” said Meredith Hendricks, executive director of The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County in an interview with the Santa Barbara Independent about the Land Trust’s role…

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In the News: Conserving Jalama Canyon Ranch

Jalama Canyon Ranch is now protected under a conservation easement held by the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County! The successful funding effort included state, local, and private entities, with the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program (SALC) awarding the Land Trust a $1,782,500 grant to protect the 1,000-acre ranch in perpetuity. “When we conserve land…

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In the News: Land Trust Treks

Land Trust Treks have been a fun and successful way to meet new people and enjoy the many parks, trails, and open spaces throughout Santa Barbara County. Learn more and register for a free trek here and read about the Mother’s Day Trek in Carpinteria as reported in the Coastal View News  story on page…

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Why the Santa Barbara Independent is Calling Meredith Hendricks the Deal Maker

This Earth Day, Land Trust Executive Director Meredith Hendricks was named the Deal Maker in the Santa Barbara Independent’s cover story on eight of Santa Barbara County’s community environmental leaders… Read the full story here or below: Fresh Faces of Environmental Action for Earth Day

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Meredith Hendricks’ Ag Roots in Central Coast Farm & Ranch Magazine

Land Trust executive director Meredith Hendricks and her family’s agricultural roots are featured in an article by Kim Lamb Gregory in the latest issue of Central Coast Farm & Ranch Magazine! Shortly after becoming executive director of the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County in November, Meredith Hendricks visited the graves of her ancestors, who…

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In the News: Yellow Foxtrot a Win-Win for Ag and Endangered Species

The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County joined with private equity firm Homestead Capital and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in a mitigation agreement that provides a clear pathway to develop vineyard on the 684-acre property, while it conserves 320-acres of prime habitat in the Purisima Hills important to many wildlife species, especially the…

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Rincon Bluffs Preserve Progress in the News

On November 9, the Carpinteria City Council reviewed and voted to approve a proposal to draft a site plan for the Rincon Bluffs property. These plans are the first step towards being able to apply for a Coastal Development Permit, which is required for all new developments in Carpinteria and the coastal zone—including trails and larger-scale restoration work.

Consistent with the community’s wishes, the Rincon Bluffs vision calls for passive recreational use. Initial improvements to the preserve will include:

  • Construction of a small unpaved public parking lot
  • Building public restroom
  • 3,500 linear feet of improved trails
  • Installation of an information kiosk and donor marker
  • 2.5 acres of native plant restoration 

Once the design phase is complete—hopefully by summer 2021—we will begin the permitting process. It’s an intricate and important process, which can take a number of months and includes environmental and public review. We hope to complete the improvements outlined in the proposal by summer 2025.

Sign up for the Lowdown to receive future news on Rincon Bluffs and the other projects we are at work on.

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Completed Conservation Easement on Lompoc Family Farm in the News

In early April, the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County purchased a 118-acre conservation easement near Lompoc from the Bob Campbell family, protecting critical habitat for federally endangered California tiger salamanders. California Department of Fish and Wildlife earmarked nearly $2 million in state conservation funding for the acquisition. The easement is a legal agreement between…

With your support, the Land Trust has protected over 57,000 acres of local land—and our work is far from over. Make a 100% tax-deductible gift today and double your impact! All year-end donations will be matched dollar for dollar up to $60,000, thanks to our friends Jack and Sheri Overall. Every penny counts!